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Vials of injectable penicillin in cold storage at the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville, Tenn. Injectable penicillin is the go-to treatment for syphilis and the only treatment considered safe for pregnant people with the disease.

Surge in syphilis cases drives some doctors to ration penicillin

10:00am February 26, 2024

by Catherine Sweeney

The drug is the go-to treatment for syphilis and the only one recommended for pregnant people. But a shortage of the injectable drug has prompted some public health agencies to ration it.

The antibiotic doxycycline hyclate can be used after sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Health & Safety

There's an effective morning-after pill for STIs but it's not clear it works in women

5:10pm December 20, 2023

by Will Stone

Doxy-PEP can be taken a few hours after sex and is effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections. New research finds it's less effective for women but that may not be the final word.

Scientists have shown that the antibiotic doxycycline can ward off illnesses like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. It's a prevention tool called doxy-PEP.

An old drug offers a new way to stop STIs

5:04am July 11, 2023

by Will Stone

Taken after sex, the antibiotic doxycycline can ward off some sexually transmitted illnesses. Doctors are already prescribing it and the CDC is expected to share guidance soon for how best to use it.

Syphilis cases in California have contributed to soaring national caseloads of sexually transmitted diseases. Experts point to the advent of dating apps, less condom use and an increase in meth.

Health & Safety

Once On The Brink Of Eradication, Syphilis Is Raging Again

8:36am April 14, 2021

by April Dembosky

Syphilis cases in California have contributed to soaring national caseloads of sexually transmitted diseases. Experts point to the advent of dating apps, decreased condom use and an increase in meth.

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Health & Safety

North Carolina Ranks Among Top States For Rates Of STDs

7:00am January 21, 2020

by Bethany Chafin

North Carolina is among the top states when it comes to rates of sexually transmitted diseases, according to the most recent data.

In the U.S., the average age for initiating sexual activity has remained around 17 or 18 since the early 1990s, even as people have begun marrying later in life.

Abstinence Education Is Ineffective And Unethical, Report Argues

8:41pm August 23, 2017

by Sarah McCammon

Researchers say that programs advocating abstinence until marriage fail to get teens to delay sexual activity and also prevent them from getting important information about pregnancy and STDs.

Downstairs hair management has become increasingly popular for men and women.

Going Bare Down There May Boost The Risk Of STDs

12:56pm December 06, 2016

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Next time you get a Brazilian wax or do a little manscaping, you may be getting more than you bargained for. Banishing hair downstairs may increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

A microscope image, magnified 600 times, of the bacteria that cause the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea Is Becoming Untreatable, U.N. Health Officials Warn

5:52pm August 30, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

The World Health Organization released new treatment guidelines that acknowledge an entire class of antibiotics is now all but useless against the sexually transmitted disease.

A human cell infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (shown in red).

Health & Safety

A Common Secret: Struggling With The Stigma Of Herpes

12:39pm January 22, 2016

by Sarah Ravani

Chances are that you know someone with the virus. But many people don't talk about it. Some say opening up about their herpes status helped them move on.

Google has allowed some researchers to sift through Google data searches to identify disease trends.

Health & Safety

Disease Sleuths Analyze Google Searches To Stop Infections

3:30pm December 10, 2015

by Mary Chris Jaklevic

Google is sharing detailed search data with academic and public health researchers to help them fight the spread of infectious diseases. Will it work?